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Fill in a contribution margin card from a finance glossary

  • For Finance and accounting
  • You practice Asking for a format you can use
  • Time about 5 minutes
  • Level Intermediate

About this exercise

You're adding contribution margin to the finance data dictionary. Write exactly 6 labeled lines in plain text, in this order: Metric, Formula, Includes, Excludes, Example and Owner. Under 100 words. The Example line must work the numbers from the sample month, and gross margin must not be confused with it.

Common mistakes when you ask AI for this

  • Confusing it with gross margin. The AI describes revenue minus cost of goods only (60.0%). Try: Add: "Subtract all variable costs, not only cost of goods sold."
  • A textbook example. The AI invents numbers instead of using October's. Try: Add: "Example: $100,000 - $40,000 - $3,000 - $7,000 - $5,000 = $45,000, 45.0%."
  • Wrong owner. The AI says accounting or leaves the owner out. Try: Add: "Owner: the FP&A team."
  • Leaving the format to chance. The AI picks its own length and layout unless told the exact shape. Try: Add: "Plain text, no bold or headings."
  • Trusting the AI to count words. AI is bad at counting. Ask for a total word limit and it often lands over it. Try: Cap each part instead, for example "each line under 15 words."

What a strong prompt includes

  • Gives the six labels
  • Asks for all variable costs
  • Uses the October example
  • Names the owner
  • Caps length

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